They walked into the small clearing as they laid down their swords and shields. The woman turned around her dark black veil covering her face. The lead man approached with courage, his head held high, he fell to both knees in respect. The woman lifted the veil showing a face covered in scars and dark mud covering her face in a menacing gaunt appearance. She poured a dark liquid into a large bowl in front of the kneeling man. She ran her hand across his forehead. The man reached down and drank deeply. As he came up for air he spoke, Odin Malhur Valka, Odin Malhur Valka. He repeated the saying as the lady drew a dark red line across his forehead. He drank again, the liquid was cold but it burned in his belly he felt lighter and stronger. Each sip gave him the strength of the gods. The remaining men crawled forward and bowed as they sang a deep throaty song. Dark as were the gods that were needed. As the man finished the bowl the woman’s eyes turned back into her head, Odin was listening. A murder of crows started to circle overhead cawing with the song of the men. It was time for war Valhalla was calling. They sat there and sang through the night the power of the gods filled them. In the morning the rain was heavy and the battlefield was slick. They watched the Britons march towards them in discouraged packs. The chieftain looked at the sky and watched the crows above. Odin was here and Valhalla was waiting. He ate the mushroom medicine of the high priestess and the word became a blur. He smiled as death would come easy and he welcomed it. Thousands started the chant Odin Malhur Valka, the shield wall formed and the chieftain laughed. Today was going to be a great day. For Valhalla waited.
Housed and Fed 